Laser despeckler based on angular diversity

ABSTRACT

A device for reducing laser speckle using a micro scanner and a holographic diffuser. The micro scanner includes a first transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface and a second transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface and a variable refractive index medium sandwiched between the output surface of the first substrate and the input surface of the second substrate. Transparent electrodes are applied to the output surface of the first substrate and the input surface of the second substrate. The electrodes are coupled to a voltage generator. The input surface of the first substrate is optically coupled to a laser source. The input surface of the second substrate is configured as an array of prismatic elements. At least one of the input surface of the first substrate or the output surfaces of the second substrate is planar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/009,637 filed Oct. 8, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,274,349 issued Mar. 1, 2016, which application is a U.S. National Phase of PCT Application No. PCT/GB2012/000331 filed Apr. 10, 2012, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/457,482 filed Apr. 7, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to an illumination device, and more particularly to a laser illumination device based on electrically switchable Bragg gratings that reduces laser speckle.

Miniature solid-state lasers are currently being considered for a range of display applications. The competitive advantage of lasers in display applications results from increased lifetime, lower cost, higher brightness and improved color gamut. Laser displays suffer from speckle, a sparkly or granular structure seen in uniformly illuminated rough surfaces. Speckle arises from the high spatial and temporal coherence of lasers. Speckle reduces image sharpness and is distracting to the viewer.

Several approaches for reducing speckle contrast have been proposed based on spatial and temporal decorrelation of speckle patterns. More precisely, speckle reduction is based on averaging multiple sets of speckle patterns from a speckle surface resolution cell with the averaging taking place over the human eye integration time. Speckle may be characterized by the parameter speckle contrast which is defined as the ratio of the standard deviation of the speckle intensity to the mean speckle intensity. Temporally varying the phase pattern faster than the eye temporal resolution destroys the light spatial coherence, thereby reducing the speckle contrast. Traditionally, the simplest way to reduce speckle has been to use a rotating diffuser to direct incident light into randomly distributed ray directions. The effect is to produce a multiplicity of speckle patterns while maintaining a uniform a time-averaged intensity profile. This type of approach is often referred to as angle diversity. Another approach known as polarization diversity relies on averaging phase shifted speckle patterns. In practice neither approach succeeds in eliminating speckle entirely.

It is known that speckle may be reduced by using an electro optic device to generate variations in the refractive index profile of material such that the phase fronts of light incident on the device are modulated in phase and or amplitude. The published International Patent Application No. WO/2007/015141 entitled LASER ILLUMINATOR discloses a despeckler based on a new type of electro optical device known as an electrically Switchable Bragg Grating (SBG). An (SBG) is formed by recording a volume phase grating, or hologram, in a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) mixture. Typically, SBG devices are fabricated by first placing a thin film of a mixture of photopolymerizable monomers and liquid crystal material between parallel glass plates. Techniques for making and filling glass cells are well known in the liquid crystal display industry. One or both glass plates support electrodes, typically transparent indium tin oxide films, for applying an electric field across the PDLC layer.

A volume phase grating is then recorded by illuminating the liquid material with two mutually coherent laser beams, which interfere to form the desired grating structure. During the recording process, the monomers polymerize and the HPDLC mixture undergoes a phase separation, creating regions densely populated by liquid crystal micro-droplets, interspersed with regions of clear polymer. The alternating liquid crystal-rich and liquid crystal-depleted regions form the fringe planes of the grating. The resulting volume phase grating can exhibit very high diffraction efficiency, which may be controlled by the magnitude of the electric field applied across the PDLC layer. When an electric field is applied to the hologram via transparent electrodes, the natural orientation of the LC droplets is changed causing the refractive index modulation of the fringes to reduce and the hologram diffraction efficiency to drop to very low levels. Note that the diffraction efficiency of the device can be adjusted, by means of the applied voltage, over a continuous range from near 100% efficiency with no voltage applied to essentially zero efficiency with a sufficiently high voltage applied. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,942,157 and 5,751, 452 describe monomer and liquid crystal material combinations suitable for fabricating SBG devices. An SBG device typically comprises at least one SBG element that has a diffracting state and a non-diffracting state. Typically, the SBG element is configured with its cell walls perpendicular to an optical axis. An SBG element diffracts incident off-axis light in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis when in said active state. However, each SBG element is substantially transparent to said light when in said inactive state. An SBG element can be designed to diffract at least one wavelength of red, green or blue light. SBGs may be stacked to provide independently switchable layers.

SBGs with Bragg grating pitches much smaller than the operating wavelength exhibit form birefringence in other words they behave like a negative uniaxial crystal with an optic axis perpendicular to the Bragg planes. They are referred to as sub-wavelength gratings. The incident wave cannot resolve the sub-wavelength structures and sees only the spatial average of its material properties. Only zero order forward and backward “diffracted” waves propagate and all higher diffracted orders are evanescent. The birefringence is switched off when the refractive indices of the PDLC and polymer planes are equal. The retardance of a sub wavelength grating is defined as the difference between the extraordinary and ordinary refractive indices multiplied by the grating thickness. As will be discussed later subwavelength gratings can be used to provide a variable refractive index medium.

There are two types of speckle known as objective speckle and subjective speckle. Objective speckle occurs as a two dimensional random pattern on a projection screen and has the effect of degrading the resolution of the projected image. Subjective speckle manifests itself as floating light spots that the eye cannot focus on. It does not affect the image on the screen surface. Classical methods for overcoming speckle rely on the principle of randomly displacing a diffusing surface relative to the laser illumination beam. The relative displacement is usually provided by a rotating diffusing screen. Another equivalent solution is to have a static diffusing screen and a means for scanning the laser illumination across the screen. However, such approaches have failed to deliver the levels of speckle contrast reduction required by modern laser display technology. Mechanical scanning solutions also suffer from the problems of mechanical and optical design complexity, noise and cost of implementation. There is a need for a compact solid state solution to the problem of speckle reduction using the principle of angular diversity.

There is a requirement for a despeckler with improved speckle contrast reduction.

SUMMARY

It is a first object of the present invention to provide a despeckler with improved speckle contrast reduction.

In one embodiment of the invention there is provided a device for reducing laser speckle comprising: a micro scanner and a holographic diffuser.

The micro scanner device comprises: a first transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface; a second transparent optical substrate with an input surface and an output surface and a variable refractive index medium sandwiched between the output surface of the first substrate and the input surface of the second substrate. Transparent electrodes are applied to the output surface of the first substrate and the input surface of the second substrate. The electrodes are coupled to a voltage generator. The input surface of the first substrate is optically coupled to a laser source. The input surface of the second substrate is configured as an array of prismatic elements containing surfaces. Advantageously, at least one of the input surface of the first substrate or the output surfaces of the second substrate is planar.

At least one of said transparent electrodes is patterned into independently addressable electrode elements. The average refractive index of any region of said variable refractive index medium is proportional to the voltage applied across the electrode elements sandwiching said region. The micro scanner deflects input light from the laser source into output light at an angle determined by the refractive index of the substrates and the average refractive index of the variable refractive index medium. The voltage applied across each electrode element is varied temporally. Each point in the holographic diffuser diffracts incident light rays of a predefined angle into output light rays having a predefined range of angles to form a diffuse illumination patch.

In one embodiment of the invention a despeckler according to the principles of the invention comprises a micro scanner and a holographic diffuser. The micro scanner is illuminated by light from a laser which is expanded and collimated by the beam coupling optics. The micro scanner deflects the beam in small angular sweeps of random amplitude. The holographic diffuser then diffracts light to form a diffuse illumination patch.

In one embodiment of the invention the despeckler further comprises a beam steering means for directing the output ray angles from the micro-scanner into the input angles required by the holographic diffuser. Advantageously the beam steering means is a diffractive device based on Bragg gratings.

In one embodiment of the invention a projector incorporating the despeckler further comprises a microdisplay, a projection lens, and a screen, which is observed from an eye position.

In one embodiment of the invention at least two micro scanners of identical prescriptions are provided. The micro scanners are stacked and operated independently.

In one embodiment of the invention the beam coupling optics comprises a TIR light guide. A coupling grating admits collimated light from the laser into a TIR path. A second coupling grating directs light into the micro scanner. A TIR light guide may be used to couple in light from RGB laser sources or multiple monochromatic sources.

In one embodiment of the invention the holographic diffuser is a Computer Generated Hologram (CGH).

In one embodiment of the invention the holographic diffuser is recorded into a Holographic Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (HPDLC).

In one embodiment of the invention the holographic diffuser also encodes the properties of beam shaping and homogenization.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in there is provided a despeckler for used with a reflective display which further comprises a polarizing beamsplitter and a quarter wave plate. Linearly polarized light from the laser is transmitted through the micro scanner, beam coupling optics and holographic diffuser illumination light which is transmitted through the polarizing beamsplitter transmitted through the quarter wave plate reflected at the microdisplay and transmitted once again through the quartet wave plate emerging with polarization orthogonal to that of the incident light and is then reflected at the polarizing beam splitter towards a projection lens. In the case of a liquid crystal display panel the quarter wave plate will not be required.

In one embodiment of the invention the micro scanner is polarization sensitive.

In one embodiment of the invention both of the transparent electrodes in the micro scanner are continuous. The variable index material is selectively switched in discrete steps from a fully diffracting to a non diffracting state by an electric field applied across the transparent electrodes.

In one embodiment of the invention at least one of the transparent electrodes in the micro scanner is patterned to provide independently switchable electrode elements such that portions of the variable index material may be selectively switched from a diffracting to a non diffracting state by an electric field applied across the transparent electrodes. Desirably, the electrodes are fabricated from ITO.

In one embodiment of the invention the electrode elements in the micro scanner have substantially the same cross sectional area as a prismatic element.

In one embodiment of the invention the center of said electrode element in the micro scanner overlaps the vertex of a prismatic element.

In one embodiment of the invention the center of an electrode element in the micro scanner is offset from the vertex of a prismatic element.

In one embodiment of the invention the prism array in the micro scanner is a linear array of elements of triangular cross section.

In one embodiment of the invention the prism array in the micro scanner is a two-dimensional array comprising pyramidal elements.

In one embodiment of the invention the prismatic elements in the micro scanner are identical.

In one embodiment of the invention the surface angles of the prismatic elements in the micro scanner have a random distribution.

In one embodiment of the invention the prismatic elements in the micro scanner are each characterized by one of at least two different surface geometries.

In one embodiment of the invention the prismatic elements in the micro scanner are each characterized by one of at least two different surface geometries with the prismatic elements of a given surface geometry being distributed uniformly across the prism array.

In one embodiment of the invention the prismatic elements in the micro scanner have diffusing surfaces.

In one embodiment of the invention the variable refractive index medium is a subwavelength grating.

In one embodiment of the invention the variable refractive index medium is a HPDLC material.

In one embodiment of the invention the variable refractive index medium is a SBG.

In one embodiment of the invention the laser source comprises red green and blue emitters.

In one embodiment of the invention the micro scanner further comprises a beam shaping diffuser.

In one embodiment of the invention the micro scanner further comprises a beam collimating lens.

In one embodiment of the invention the micro scanner further comprises a beam shaping diffuser and at least one beam collimating lens.

A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like index numerals indicate like parts. For purposes of clarity details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a micro scanner.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation view of one aspect of a micro scanner.

FIG. 3A is a schematic side elevation view of a first aspect of a micro scanner.

FIG. 3B is a schematic side elevation view of a second aspect of a micro scanner.

FIG. 3C is a schematic side elevation view of a third aspect of a micro scanner.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view illustrating a method of recording a holographic diffuser.

FIG. 4B is a schematic view of a first aspect of the operation of a holographic diffuser.

FIG. 4C is a schematic view of a second aspect of the operation of a holographic diffuser.

FIG. 5 is schematic side elevation view of a despeckler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A is detail of the operation of a despeckler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B is detail of the operation of a despeckler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevation view of despeckler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side elevation view of a projection display incorporating a despeckler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevation view of a projection display incorporating a despeckler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side elevation view of a projection display incorporating a despeckler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side elevation view of a projection display incorporating a despeckler according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side elevation view of despeckler for use with a reflective microdisplay according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side elevation view of despeckler for use with a reflective microdisplay according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It an object of the present invention to provide a despeckler with improved speckle contrast reduction.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced with only some or all aspects of the present invention as disclosed in the following description. For the purposes of explaining the invention well-known features of laser technology and laser displays have been omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the basic principles of the invention.

Parts of the following description will be presented using terminology commonly employed by those skilled in the art of optics and laser displays in particular.

In the following description the terms light, ray, beam and direction will used interchangeably and in association with each other to indicate the propagation of light along rectilinear trajectories.

Unless otherwise stated the term optical axis in relation to a ray or beam direction refers to propagation parallel to an axis normal to the surfaces of the optical components described in relation to the embodiments of the invention.

It should also be noted that in the following description of the invention repeated usage of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

The despeckler embodiments disclosed herein are directed at overcoming both objective and subjective speckle. The devices generate set of unique speckle patterns within an eye resolution cell by operating on the angular characteristic of rays propagating through the despeckler according to the angular diversity principle.

Specifically, the invention provides a despeckler that combines a means for generating illumination light with a temporally varying random distribution of ray directions to be referred to as a micro scanner with a holographic means for generating a diffuse illumination patch at a specified location. Said holographic means will be referred to as a holographic diffuser in the following description of the invention. The location of the diffuse illumination patch typically coincides with the surface of a microdisplay but in some display applications it may be advantageous for it located at or near to an intermediated image plane.

The invention provides a solid state analogue of the classical moving-screen speckle reduction technique. The holographic means for creating a diffuse illumination patch also provides a means for shaping the beam cross section and controlling the spatial homogeneity of the illumination all of said features being encoded within a single hologram.

We start by considering the micro scanner. The basic principles of a micro scanner for use with the invention are illustrated in the schematic side elevation view of FIG. 1. The apparatus comprises: a first transparent optical substrate 91 with an input surface 91A and an output surface 91B and a second transparent optical substrate 93 with an input surface 93A and an output surface 93B. The input surface of the second substrate 93 is configured as an array of prismatic elements each prismatic element containing surfaces such as 93A. Advantageously, at least one of the input surface of the first substrate or the output surfaces of the second substrate is planar. Transparent electrodes 98A,98B are applied to the output surface 91B of said first substrate and the input surface 93A of said second substrate. A variable refractive index layer 92 having input surfaces 92A, 92B is sandwiched between the output surface of the first substrate and the output surface of the second substrate providing an array of variable refractive index prismatic elements. Advantageously the variable refractive index layer is a HPDLC material. In one embodiment of the invention the variable refractive index layer is a SBG. In one embodiment of the invention the variable refractive index layer is a sub wavelength grating. The insets marked by dashed lies show portions of the first substrate-electrode-HPDLC layer interface and the second substrate-electrode-HPDLC layer interface in more detail. The electrodes are coupled to a voltage generator 90 by means of an electrical circuit 96. The input surface 91A of the first substrate 91 is optically coupled to a laser source which is not illustrated. The substrates are fabricated from an optical glass such as BK7. Alternatively, optical plastics may be used.

We consider the propagation of light through one of the prismatic elements. Input laser light indicated by the rays 440A,440B is transmitted through substrate 91 into the HPDLC. Refracted rays from a first prism surface 93B are indicated by 441A and refracted rays from a second prism surface are indicated by 441B. Each of the refracted rays in the groups indicated by 441A,441B corresponds to a unique average refractive index resulting from a unique applied voltage. The rays 441A,441B are refracted at the output surface of the second substrate 93 to provide the output rays 442A,442B. As indicated in the drawing each prism will provide overlapping rays indicated by the divergent ray bundles 440,450,460,470.

The ray geometry is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 2 which provides a schematic illustration of the ray propagation around one prism face. A typical ray path through the second substrate, variable refractive index layer, first substrate and air is represented by the rays 420-423. The angle of deflection in the prism is given by α₂=arcsin ((n_(h)/n_(g))sin (α₁), which is approximately equal to (n_(h)/n_(g)) α₁. The prism angle α₁ is given by α₁=arctan (h/D), where D is the length of the prism (or period) and h is its height. It can be shown that the resulting angle of prism deflection δ is given by δ=arcsin (n_(g) sin (α₂−α₁). Making the approximation that δ=n_(g) (α₂−α₁), we obtain: δ=n_(g) α₂ (n_(h)/n_(g)−1). Combining both previous equations, the deflection angle may be expressed as a function of the prism characteristics and index. Based on the above equations the ray deflection is given by δ=n_(g) ((h/D) (n_(h)/n_(g)−1). The directions of the output rays are swept by increasing the effective refractive index in the HPDLC between the substrate-HPDLC index match condition and the full effective index shift. Typically, the index of glass is n_(g)=1.55. The index of the HPDLC n_(h) in its non-diffracting state is matched to the index of the substrate glass which is typically 1.55. The inventors have found that the maximum refractive variation of the HPDLC is typically +0.065. The HPDLC material has a sinusoidal sub-wavelength grating with a duty cycle of 50% of the index swing regions (bright fringes). Therefore, the maximum effective refractive index change extends from 1.55 to 1.55+0.065/2=1.5825. Assuming a prism height of 1 micron, a prism length of 30 microns, and n_(g)=1.55 and n_(h)=1.5825, we obtain a deflection angle of 0.062 degrees.

FIG. 3 illustrates the sweeping of output rays as the voltage applied across the HPDLC via the electrodes 98A,98B is varied. At the maximum voltage condition illustrated in FIG. 3A the incoming rays 430 propagate through the HPDLC region 92 into the prism region 93 as the rays 431 and subsequently into air as rays 432 without deviation. FIGS. 3B-3C show how the ray deviation increases as the voltage is reduced. In FIG. 3B input collimated light 433 is deflected into the ray directions 434 in the HPDLC medium and into ray direction 435 in air. In FIG. 3C input collimated light 436 is deflected into the ray directions 437 in the HPDLC medium and into ray direction 438 in air.

In one embodiment of the invention both of the transparent electrodes are continuous. The HPDLC is selectively switched in discrete steps from a fully diffracting to a non-diffracting state by an electric field applied across the transparent electrodes.

At least one of said transparent electrodes is patterned to provide independently switchable electrode elements such that portions of the HPDLC may be selectively switched in discrete steps from a fully diffracting to a non-diffracting state by an electric field applied across the transparent electrodes. Desirably, the electrodes are fabricated from ITO.

We next consider the principles of and method of recording of the holographic diffuser referring to FIGS. 4A-4C. The beam shaping device is essentially a hologram of a diffuser or scatter plate. Using a traditional holographic recording procedure, which is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4A, the holographic diffuser is recorded by illuminating a holographic recording medium 2A by light scattered from a real diffuser 5 and a second collimated reference beam indicated by the rays 201,202. Advantageously, the rays 201,202 are parallel. Groups of rays from two points on the diffuser are generally indicated by 211 and 212. Each group of rays from a point on the diffuser surface fills the aperture of the hologram. Under playback the processed hologram indicated by 2B is illuminated by a beam parallel to the reference beam such that the hologram forms a static image of the diffuser. Every point of the diffuse illumination patch reproduces each divergent point of the diffuser. Two equivalent interpretations may be used to characterize the formation of a diffuse illumination patch by the recorded hologram 2. Referring to FIG. 4B it will be seen that each point on the hologram 2 diffracts incident light into the entire area of the diffuse illumination patch. For example, the rays 203,203 intercepting the hologram at the points 203A,203B provide the divergent rays generally indicated by 213,214 which overlap to provide the diffuse illumination patch 51. On the other hand, referring to FIG. C, it will be seen that, in this case, each point in the diffuse illumination patch receives light from the entire area of the hologram 2. For example, the convergent rays generally indicated by 215,216 emerging from the hologram cross section bounded by the points 204A,204B have convergence points 204C,204D at the extremities of the diffuse illumination patch 52. It will be clear to those skilled in the art of holographic optics that other optical configurations may be used to form a diffuse illumination patch that exists at any location in front of or behind the holographic diffuser. It should also be apparent that the same principles may be used to provide a holographic diffuser based on reflection holograms. Whichever interpretation is used, the effect is to provide random spatio temporal averaging of the speckle pattern, multiple speckle patters are superimposed and the speckle contrast is decreased. If the hologram is now illuminated by light from the micro scanner each point on the hologram is illuminated by rays having random incident angles covering a small angular sweep. This is equivalent to the classical displaced diffuser approach.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in the schematic side elevation view of FIG. 5 a despeckler comprises a micro scanner 1 based on the principles described above, a holographic diffuser 2 based on the principles described above. The micro scanner is illuminated by light from a laser 21 which is expanded and collimated by the beam coupling optics 22. The beam coupling optics typically includes a beam expander and collimator together with means such as a grating or prism for optically coupling the laser beam to the micro scanner. Specifically, the light from the laser indicated by 101 is expanded and collimated to provide the beam indicated by 102. The invention does not assume any particular optical design for the beam coupling optics. The micro scanner deflects the beam 102 in small angular sweeps of random amplitude indicated by 111, 112 according to the principles discussed above. The holographic diffuser then diffracts light to form a diffuse illumination patch as discussed above.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrates the operation of the diffuse illumination patch in more detail. In FIG. 6A illumination from a collimated beam in the ray direction 111 resulting in the diffracted ray group 121A-121D which is uniformly distributed around the average ray direction 121. FIG. 6B illustrates the ray paths follow when the incidence beam being swept to the ray direction 112 resulting in the diffracted ray group 122A-122D which is uniformly distributed around the average ray direction 122. Each position on the incident ray sweep gives rise to a unique diffuse ray distribution across the diffuse illumination patch. Superposing and temporally integrating the set of such patterns generated by the full incident ray sweep over the eye integration time results in a reduction of the speckle contrast.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in the schematic side elevation view of FIG. 7 the despeckler of FIG. 5 further comprises a beam steering means 11 for directing the output ray angles 111, 112 from the micro-scanner into the input angles 131, 132 required by the holographic diffuser. Typically, the holographic diffuser will require off-axis incidence angles. Advantageously, the beam steering means is a diffractive device based on Bragg gratings. However, other means for steering the beams into the required angles will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in the schematic side elevation view of FIG. 8 a projector incorporating the despeckler of FIG. 5 further comprises a microdisplay 3 a projection lens 41 and a screen 42 which is observed from an eye position indicated by the eye symbol 43. The projection lens 41 collects image-modulated light 133 from points on the image surface of the microdisplay over a numerical aperture (or solid angle) and focuses it onto the screen, as represented by the rays 134, for viewing over a viewing solid angle represented by the rays 135.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in the schematic side elevation view of FIG. 9 a projector incorporating the despeckler of FIG. 7 further comprises a microdisplay 3 a projection lens 41 and a screen 42 which is observed from an eye position indicated by the symbol 43. The beam steering means 11 directs output rays 111,112 from the micro-scanner into the output angles 131,132 required by the hologram diffuser.

Advantageously, each point in the holographic diffuser diffracts light into the maximum available area of the diffuse illumination patch, as defined by the active area of a microdisplay, for example. In some embodiments of the invention it may be sufficient for light diffracted from any point to fill only a portion of the maximum available area. Easing the diffraction angle range will generally make the hologram prescription less demanding.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in the schematic side elevation view of FIG. 10 the micro scanner 1 of the previous embodiments is replaced by the two micro scanners 1A, 1B. The micro scanners 1A,1B have identical prescriptions. The micro scanners are stacked and operated independently. The number of micro scanners that can be stacked in this way is limited only by the transmission losses incurred by the substrates, HPDLC and ITO. Speckle reduction increases with the number of layers.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in the schematic side elevation view of FIG. 11 the beam coupling optics comprises a TIR light guide 24. A coupling grating 23 admits collimated light from the laser 21 into a TIR path indicated by 103. A second coupling grating 25 directs light into the micro scanner. The beam steering means 11 directs output rays 113,114 from the micro-scanner into the output angles 131,132 required by the hologram diffuser. A TIR light guide may be used to couple in light from RGB laser sources or multiple monochromatic sources depending on the application.

In one embodiment of the invention the holographic diffuser is a CGH.

In one embodiment of the invention the holographic diffuser is recorded into a HPDLC using the same procedure as described above. In this case the holographic diffuser can be switched on and off.

In one embodiment of the invention in which the holographic diffuser is recorded into a HPDLC the holographic diffuser may be configured as an array of selectively switchable diffuser elements recorded each operating according to the above principles.

In one embodiment of the invention the holographic diffuser also encodes the properties of beam shaping and homogenization. The principles are known to those skilled in the art of diffractive optical element design. The holographic diffuser is made by fabricating a CGH with the required optical properties and recording the CGH into the holographic diffuser. (essentially forming a hologram of the CGH).

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 12 there is provided a despeckler for use with a reflective display. The despeckler is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 7 but further comprise a polarizing beamsplitter 44 and a quarter wave plate 45. Linearly polarized light from the laser is transmitted through the beam coupling means, the micro scanner, the beam coupling optics and the holographic diffuser as described above to provide illumination light 131,132. The illumination light is transmitted through the polarizing beamsplitter transmitted through the quarter wave plate as indicated by the rays 141,142, reflected at the microdisplay and transmitted once again through the quarter wave plate emerging with polarization orthogonal to that of the incident light and is then reflected at the polarizing beam splitter towards projection lens which is not illustrated. The entire reflected light path is indicated by 150. In the case of a liquid crystal display panel the quarter wave plate will not be required.

The inventors have found that micro scanner according to the principles described above is polarization sensitive.

In one embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 13 there is provided a further despeckler embodiment for use with a reflective microdisplay. The despeckler is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 7 but further comprises a polarizing beamsplitter 44 and a quarter wave plate 45. Linearly polarized light from the laser is transmitted through the beam coupling means, the polarization beam splitter (emerging as the light 115,116), the micro scanner (emerging as the light 123,124), the beam steering means (emerging as the light 136,137),and the holographic diffuser (emerging as the illumination light 143, 144). The illumination light is transmitted through the quarter wave plate (with its polarization changed from linear to circular), reflected at the microdisplay and transmitted once again through the quarter wave plate (with polarization rotated from circular to linear), the holographic diffuser and the micro scanner and is finally reflected at the polarizing beam splitter towards the projection lens (which is not illustrated). The reflected light path from the beamsplitter to the projection lens is indicated by 151. In this embodiment of the invention the holographic diffuser will, ideally, be sensitive to the same polarization as the micro scanner.

In one embodiment of the invention the electrode elements of the micro scanner have substantially the same cross sectional area as a prismatic element.

In one embodiment of the invention the center of said electrode element of the micro scanner overlaps the vertex of a prismatic element.

In one embodiment of the invention the center of an electrode element of the micro scanner is offset from the vertex of a prismatic element.

In one embodiment of the invention the prism array of the micro scanner is a linear array of elements of triangular cross section as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In one embodiment of the invention the prism array of the micro scanner is a two-dimensional array comprising pyramidal elements of cross section similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 15. In such an embodiment ray deflections occur in two directions.

In one embodiment of the invention the prismatic elements of the micro scanner are identical. Such an embodiment of the invention is also illustrated by FIG. 1.

In one embodiment of the invention the surface angles of the prismatic elements of the micro scanner have a random distribution. Such an embodiment of the invention is also illustrated by FIG. 1.

In one embodiment of the invention the prismatic elements of the micro scanner are each characterized by one of at least two different surface geometries. Such an embodiment of the invention is also illustrated by FIG. 1.

In one embodiment of the invention the prismatic elements of the micro scanner are each characterized by one of at least two different surface geometries with the prismatic elements of each surface geometry being distributed uniformly across the prism array.

In one embodiment of the invention the prismatic elements of the micro scanner have diffusing surfaces.

In one embodiment of the invention the laser source comprises red green and blue emitters.

The invention is not restricted to any particular laser source configuration. The HPDLC drive electronics are not illustrated. The apparatus may further comprise relay optics, beam folding mirrors, light integrators, filters, prisms, polarizers and other optical elements commonly used in displays

The present invention does not assume any particular process for fabricating a despeckler device. The fabrication steps may be carried out used standard etching and masking processes. The number of steps may be further increased depending on the requirements of the fabrication plant used. For example, further steps may be required for surface preparation, cleaning, monitoring, mask alignment and other process operations that are well known to those skilled in the art but which do not form part of the present invention

It will be clear from the above description of the invention that the despeckler embodiments disclose here may be applied to the reduction of speckle in a wide range of laser displays including front and rear projection displays, wearable displays, scanned laser beam displays and transparent displays for use in viewfinders and HUDs.

The invention is not limited to any particular type of HPDLC or recipe for fabricating HPDLC. The HPDLC material currently used by the inventors typically switches at 170 us and restores at 320 us. The inventors believe that with further optimization the switching times may be reduced to 140 microseconds.

It should be emphasized that the Figures are exemplary and that the dimensions have been exaggerated. For example, thicknesses of the HPDLC layers have been greatly exaggerated.

The HPDLC may be based on any crystal material including nematic and chiral types.

In particular embodiments of the invention any of the HPDLC devices discussed above may be implemented using super twisted nematic (STN) liquid crystal materials. STN offers the benefits of pattern diversity and adoption of simpler process technology by eliminating the need for the dual ITO patterning process described earlier.

The invention may also be used in other applications such as optical telecommunications

Although the invention has been described in relation to what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed arrangements, but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent constructions included within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An illumination device comprising: a first transparent substrate having an output surface; a variable refractive index layer having an input surface and an output surface, wherein said input surface of said refractive index layer overlays said output surface of said first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate having an input surface, wherein said input surface of said second transparent layer overlays said output layer of said variable refractive index layer; and a holographic diffuser, wherein said output surface of said variable refractive index layer and said input layer of said second transparent substrate are each configured as a multiplicity of ray deflecting features to deflect incident light into a temporally varying random distribution of ray directions in a first predefined range of angles having a plurality of angles of deflection such that the plurality of angles of deflection are varied as a voltage applied across the variable refractive index is iteratively varied, wherein each point in said holographic diffuser diffracts incident light rays of said first predefined range of angles into output light rays having a second predefined range of angles such that a diffuse illumination patch is produced at any surface intercepting said output light rays.
 2. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said diffuse illumination patch is disposed in proximity to the surface of a microdisplay.
 3. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said diffuse illumination patch is disposed in proximity to the surface of a projection screen.
 4. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said holographic diffuser comprises a hologram of a scattering surface.
 5. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said holographic diffuser comprises a multiplicity of holograms of scattering surfaces.
 6. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said holographic diffuser is at least one of a Bragg hologram, a switchable Bragg grating, a computer generated hologram, a transmission hologram or a reflection hologram.
 7. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said holographic diffuser encodes properties for varying the intensity distribution of incident light.
 8. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said holographic diffuser encodes properties for shaping the cross sectional geometry of incident light.
 9. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said holographic diffuser is an array of selectively switchable holographic elements.
 10. The illumination device of claim 1, further comprising a beam steering means.
 11. The illumination device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a beamsplitter, a beam expander, a polarizer, a light integrator, a light guide, or a projection lens.
 12. The illumination device of claim 1, configured to illuminate a reflective microdisplay.
 13. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein incident light is provided by red, green and blue emitters.
 14. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said ray deflecting features are polygonal.
 15. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said ray deflecting features are pyramidic.
 16. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said ray deflecting features have surface angles defined by a random distribution.
 17. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said ray deflecting features are characterized by at least two different geometrical prescriptions.
 18. The illumination device of claim 17, wherein said geometrical prescriptions are distributed uniformly across said input surface of said second transparent substrate.
 19. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein said ray deflecting features have at least one light diffusing surface.
 20. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein electrodes are applied to each the output surface of the first substrate and the input surface of the second substrate, with at least one said electrode patterned into electrode elements for providing addressable regions of said variable refractive index layer, wherein the average refractive index of any of said addressable regions is proportional to a voltage applied across electrodes overlapping said regions, wherein said first range of angles is determined by the refractive index of said substrates and the average refractive index of said regions of said variable refractive index layer, wherein the voltage applied across each of said electrode elements is varied temporally.
 21. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein each ray deflecting feature is configured to output a bundle of light rays that overlaps with at least one other bundle of light rays outputted by another prismatic element.
 22. The illumination device of claim 1, wherein each the multiplicity of ray deflecting features is configured as an array of prismatic elements. 